HENSON KENNETH C

COL Kenneth "Ken" C. Henson was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 10/30/2024 at the age of 78.9
Fort Worth, TX
Flight Classes 66-23 and 67-1
Date of Birth 12/23/1945
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with D/229 AVN 1 CAV in 70, F/1/9 CAV in 71
Call signs in Vietnam SMILING TIGER 56, PEACEMAKER 56
This information was provided by Tom Pearcy

More detail on this person: Col. Kenneth C. Henson passed away on Oct.30, 2024. He enlisted in the Army In January 1966, and was in flight school class 66-23/ 67-01. Upon completion of flight school and receiving his commission as a Warrant Officer he served in Korea for 13 months then returned to Fort Rucker as an instructor pilot. Following this Ken attended the Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course. In December 1969 he received a direct commission to 1st LT and was sent to Hunter AAF for Cobra transition before leaving for Vietnam in March 1970 where he served until March 1971. While in Vietnam Ken flew Cobras with D Troop/ 229AVN 1st Cav and later with F Troop 1/9 Cav. Call signs were Smiling Tiger 56 and Peacemaker 56. While in Vietnam he earned 17 Air Medals, 3 Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He returned to Fort Rucker and resigned from active duty in 1973. Following active duty, Ken served in the National Guard in Maine, North Carolina, and Michigan, and then in the Army Reserves in Texas where he remained until his retirement in 2005, upon which he was awarded a Legion of Merit. Civilian employment included Ford Motor Company, Bechtel Corporation, General Dynamics, and Lockheed Martin. He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery .

Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery

This information was last updated 04/02/2025

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Date posted on this site: 04/13/2025